MEDIA RELEASE

Kona police have arrested a 26-year-old male for the alleged sexual assault of an 18-year-old female in Kailua-Kona.

Responding to a 2:45 a.m. call Monday, Kona patrol officers determined that the alleged assault occurred about 12:45 a.m. The victim told police that she was standing outside off Alii Drive in downtown Kailua-Kona when she was approached from behind by a local male, thrown to the ground and sexually assaulted.

Based on the victim’s description of her assailant, Kona patrol officers arrested the suspect at 3:40 a.m. near the Hale Halawai in Kailua-Kona.

The case has been turned over to the West Hawaii Juvenile Aid Section’s Sex Crimes Unit for further investigation.

The suspect, who was not immediately charged, is being held in the Kona police cellblock pending further investigation.